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inside her chest, and her hands that were still holding the book began shaking slightly.
    Quickly, she put the book back on its shelf and went out after him, looking in the direction he had walked. At first she didn't see him, but then she spotted him down the street. Suddenly he stopped dead in his tracks and turned his head, apparently sensing that someone was watching him. Jade hid behind the postcard display of a souvenir shop, hoping that he hadn't seen her. Her heart was pounding hard, and she held her breath, waiting. After a while, she stuck out her head to see what he was doing. She couldn't help giggling a bit, this situation was so awkward but she hadn't enjoyed herself like that in years.
    To her utter relief, he just disappeared into St. George Terminal, obviously intending to take the Staten Island Ferry. It was a dull, foggy afternoon – no chance of taking good pictures of the Statue today -, and there were only a few people waiting in the line. While he was inside the building, she followed him cautiously. She just couldn't help herself.
    It was astounding that a wealthy club owner would spend his free time in such an unspectacular way, taking a free boat trip on the Hudson River. She'd rather imagine that he owned a yacht himself, or went to fancy places with breathtakingly beautiful women. She was standing at the bus stop on the other side of the street when he suddenly emerged, much sooner than she had expected. With a small outcry, she dived behind one of the trees that had been so conveniently planted at the corner. She pressed her back against the rough bark of the trunk, closing her eyes in fear that he might have seen her spying on him. Breathing heavily, she waited a few moments before she dared to turn around and peek out from her hiding place.
    Alrik was gone. She turned her head and looked up and down the street to both sides, then to the harbor, but he was nowhere to be seen.
    “Damn!” she cursed under her breath. But this was impossible! There was no way he could have vanished so quickly. She had a clear view to the ferry dock, so he couldn't have gone there. So where the heck was he? She didn't want to re-emerge behind her tree too soon, in case he appeared again and caught her spying. Surely he wouldn't believe her if she pretended her trip to the harbor was mere coincidence.
    “Good afternoon, Jade.” The sound of Alrik's deep voice made her jump, and at the same time sent a shiver of awareness down her spine. Leisurely rounding the tree, he came to stand right in front of her, his tall, broad frame intimidating and exciting at the same time. She wasn't used to feeling small in the presence of a man. It made her feel strangely petite, feminine, and she didn't even know if she loved or hated this newfound weakness.
    “I …,” she began, and then fell silent. It was pointless pretending that she was here for any other reason but to spy on him. After all, she was hiding behind a tree.
    “Did you find out anything interesting by following me?” he asked nonchalantly, a half-smile on his lips. “I saw you in the bookshop, you know.”
    “But you didn't stop to talk to me,” she said, feeling incredibly foolish now.
    “No, I didn't," he replied earnestly, without attempting to explain himself. He didn't need to.
    “Of course,” she said bitterly. “What we did the other night … it didn't mean anything to you. Probably there's already another woman in your bed.”
    “There is no other,” he said, averting his gaze. “I think I told you my reasons.”
    “Well, yes,” she answered. “You're not good for me, and I should stay away. Very satisfying explanation. Good-bye, Alrik. I don't need to be where I'm not wanted.”
    She turned away to leave before he saw the tears welling up in her eyes. Suddenly his hand closed around her arm, holding her back. She was only wearing a sleeveless blouse, and his fingers on her flesh made her skin tingle like an electric shock as heat shot